Renovating older Milwaukee homes often involves complex structural challenges that require careful planning to preserve the original craftsmanship while adapting the home for modern living. This primary bathroom is a study in both technical precision and thoughtful design, its complex structural challenges became the foundation for a refined, highly detailed space.
To create the new, expanded primary suite, the team cantilevered the bathroom over an existing load-bearing wall below. This required an exacting level of coordination and execution, as the ornate plaster ceiling beneath had to remain completely intact. Every structural move was carefully calculated and carried out with restraint, ensuring the integrity of the original craftsmanship was preserved while seamlessly introducing new square footage above.
With the expanded footprint, the bathroom was entirely reimagined and added to support a more functional, elevated daily experience. The layout now accommodates a full glass-enclosed shower clad in marble, a sculptural freestanding tub, and a custom double vanity topped with richly veined stone. The marble selections carry through from surface to surface, grounding the space in a timeless material palette while adding visual movement and depth.
Moments of personality are layered in with intention. A wallpaper-lined niche creates a striking focal point. The wallpaper brings contrast, pattern, and a sense of whimsy within an otherwise serene space. Warm wood cabinetry and brass accents introduce balance, softening the stone and tile with warmth and tactility.
